Gauging device



Dec. 10,' 1945l L.. F.i Po'LK ET Ar.

GAUGING DEVICE Filed J une 23, 1944 s sheets-shea 1 ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1946. L F, FOLKy ET AL 2,412,421 GAUGING DEVICE v Filed 'June 25, 1944 5 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 10, 1946.

1 1 F. POLK E1-AL GAUGING DEVICE.

Filed June, 23, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 J 3fm NTOR.:v

A oRNEY Pateniecl Dec. 10, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to measuring or gauging apparatus. Y

One object of the invention is the provision of a gauge having a plurality of relatively adjustable gauging elements adapted for wide range of adjustment and associated with indicating means for gauging or comparing a dimension on a workpiece, the gauging elements being arranged for movement towards and from a, stationary work supporting table through which the gauging elements proj ect.

Another object is the provision of a gauge of the character mentioned, the gauging elements being arranged for relative movement towards and from one another on a carrier which is movable towards and from the work supporting table, one of the gauging elements having means operable from 'one end of the gauge to adjust the gauging element along the carrier and to hold it in adjusted position on the carrier.

Another object is the provision of a gauge having a plurality of relatively adjustable gauging lingers that 4project through an opening in a work supporting table and arranged for relative movement towards and from the table, spring means being provided for urging one of the lingers either towards or away from the other depending upon the positioning of the spring means, thus adapting the gauge for the measurement of either internal or external dimensions.

Another object is the provision of a gauge having a support which provides a stationary Work supporting table, the support enclosing a plurality of elevating screws which are simultaneously operated to raise and lower a carrier on which a pair of gauging elements are carried yfor relative adjustment.

Another object is the provision of a gauge having a stationary Work supporting table and a pair of relatively movable gauging elements thatproject through an opening in the table and which are both yieldingly carried for simultaneous limited movement in the same direction in which the relative gauging movement takes place, with means for indicating whether or not the two gauging elements are in a normal range of positioning.

Fig. l is a top plan view of a, gauge embodying the present invention, a portion of the work supporting table being removed to disclose the parts beneath;

Fig. v2. is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig.. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is .a detail view showing the drive for the Vtwo elevating screws;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the gauge showing. the ltable removed and omitting a portion of the indicator;

Fig. 6 is a vertical central section on an enlarged scale, also on the line" 2-2 of Fig 1, but

, showing only the movablegauging element and its reversible spring connection;

, Fig. 'l is .a detail view showing the connections between the switches and the indicator lamps;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View showing the work .positioning means; and

. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a modied form of work `positioning arm.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by reference numerals, I6 designates a support, including abase structure li having a wo-rk supporting table l2 secured thereon by suitable 'attaching screws engaged in threaded openings i3. The work supporting, table is preferably made in two halves with a space or slot between them, the space or slot providing for the reception and movement of` a pair of gauging elements or iingers I4 and l5. The gauging elements are relatively movable towards and from one another in `a gauging operation and project up above the top of the table so they may contact with a workpiece applied to the table. In the preferred embodiment of theinvention, the gauging elements may loe arranged to compare or measure an internal diameter-or measurement of aworkpiece applied to the table, or can measure an external measurement of aworkpiece. The relative spacing of the .gauging elements is shown on an indicator l5 arranged'in a housing portion which projects from orforms `a part of the support I il.

The two gauging elements l and l5 are arranged on a carrier I9 which is supported for limited yielding movementstowards the right and left as viewed in Fig. 2. The carrier is also adapted to be moved towards or away from the stationary work supporting table I2 so that the extent' to which the lingers project up from the table ycan be adjusted to provide for checking or gauging the size of the workpiece at different points along its length as the workpiece remains on the table. The carrier I9, at the right as shown in Figs. '1 and 2, is provided with `downwardly and outwardly vextending arms 20 the lower ends of which are rigidly secured to the lower ends of a pair of. straight parallel thin spring blades 2|.

The upper ends of these blades are xed to a suspension block 22 which is fixed to a carriage 23. The carriage is guided for vertical movement between guideways 24, ball bearings 25 4beingpreferably interposed between the carriage and the guideways. The guideways 24 are secured to an end plate 25 which is held by bolts or other suit` .l

able means on the inner side of the end wall 2l of support It.

The carriage 23, which is illustrated. in Fig. 2 near its upper limit of movement, can be moved structure. Suitable drive gear'mgis arranged in the housing 3i to rotate the screw 28 from a horizontal Vdrive shaft 32 which extends along the base.

in the base, see Fig. 4.

j'lfhe shaft 32 is also connectedto an elevating screw v3l similar to the screw 23, and similarly operated from the shaft, both elevating screws having simultaneous and equal movements. The screw el ,provides for vertical adjustment of the carriage 33 which is guided by means of ball bearings 4c and guideways 4I similar in arrangement Ytothe guide'means for carriage 23.

Fixed onthe carriage 38 is a suspension block 39. This block is xed to the upper ends of depending lat parallel spring blades 43. The lower ends o1" these -blades are iixed to outwardly and A drive wheel 33 on this shaft is operated by a lbelt 34, driven by an electric motor 35 housed downwardly extending arms 44 which are rigid with the carrier I9. The spring blades 43 and 2i thus form a suspension carrying opposite ends of the carrier le and permitting yielding movement of the carrier Yin a horizontal direction towards the right or left as viewed in Fig. 2. The

yielding movement of the carrier permitsv the application of some lateral :pressure on. one or The gauging element I5 has a wide range of 4adjustment towards and from the other 4gauging element' I4, to permit thedevice. to be used'for gauging pieces of widely different size. In av gauging operation, the gauging element I5 isilxed to and moves with the carrierY ISfto a limited` extent, but its position along the length of .the carrier can be readily adjusted from apoint out- Q side of the gauging mechanism. As will be more apparent from Figs. l, 2 and 5, the. gauging element comprises the upwardly extending linger portion having a horizontally extendingtail part 4t which is removably secured by means ofV suit-` able attaching screws to a slide 41. The slide 41 operates along and is guided by the opposite sides .of the carrier I9, and is .rigid with a shell 48 c-r housing, see Fig. 2. This shell carries a rotatable .can 49 having a rectangular hole through it. A rectangular operating rod 5l! passesv through this hole and .is guided at one end in a. plate 5I fixed to the carrier I9 andnear its other. end itpasses slidably'through a rectangular hole in a bushingEE carried by the'arm 20 on the f carrier.' The operating rod 5@ extends through verticalslots provided in the upper portion of v carriage VZ3 and in the walls @Brand 221V, and extendsto'a point exterior ofthe support, 4where it is'provided with an operating hand'lever 54.

Vdetermined direction, and this spring means is. Yso arrangedthat it can be readilyY changed -to-. reverse the direction of spring pressure in order 4 Y slidable locking block upwardly into firm contact with an adjusting screw 5S to hold the shell 48 rinly tothe adjusting screw. When the operating rod ilis so turned that the cam rise is lowered out of engagement with the locking block, the latter is held yieldingly .by a springl vagainst the lower side of the adjusting screw 5S soV that as the adjusting screw is turned, the shell 48 is adjusted towards the right or left as viewed in Fig. 2'. The upper side of the locking block forms a half nut which functions either to move the shell 48 and the gauging element l5 when` the operating screw is turned, or to lock the shell 5S-against the adjusting screw.

The adjusting screw 56 is rotatably supported 'j at one end in the plate'l, and near its other end it is rotatably mounted in a bushing 59 in the arm 2l). it extends out past this bushing, through the slots Vin the upper end of the ,carriage 23 and thev end wall ofthe support, and isxprovided with a hand wheelV @t permitting it to be turned by theo erator when the locking lever 54 permits. The locking lever Ellis then turned so that the locking lobe. on the cam 4S forcesY the half nut 55 tight against the adjusting screw 56. v

The. gauging element I4 has a tail part. 6I, see Fig, 6, which is removably secured by means of attaching screws 52 to a spring sup-ported hold; er 53. The holder is provided with downwardly and outwardly extending arms 64 and 65 and at their lower ends these four arms are secured to the upper ends ofV four parallel flexible spring blades te. The lower ends of these springs are xed to legs 6l whichy project downwardly and outwardly from the carrier I9. The springs 66 thus carry theV movable gaugingV element I4 forv yielding limited movement ina direction towards Y Y and from the'other gauging element I5.

Spring means are provided for yieldingly urging the movable gauging element I4in av preto adapt the device to measure either aninternal or ,an` external surface onthe workpiece. As willV Y be more apparent from Figs. 5 and 6, the Vhelder than thevlength ofY the spring Ahousing so thatV v Aboth springs will not bepressed againstftherstud 69 at thesarne time. vA screw Y714 threaded` in the spring housing extendsv `through a slot I5 fin the spring cover, the slot being" longenoughf so thatV when 'the screw 'i4 is loosened, thespring cover can be moved endwise, to the position as'v viewed in Fig; 6 topress against .thegspring I I andA cause the latter to yielding'ly force thev pin 69 towards theleft. If the springcover is movedftothe right on the spring housing the springfl will be pressed against the stud 9 andthe spring 'II will be Vfree of :the stud; thus forcing -the stud Ythe spring'coverin eitherone ofY these" two positions, and since `the stud i4 and the springgcover are readily accessible `through theslot or passage provided between the two parts'oi'thevwork supporting table, it '.is a very vsimpleV operation to produce a reversal in the Vdirection' in which the gauging element I 4 is yieldingly urged with respect to the element I5. If the gauging elements I4 and I5 are intended to gauge an internal passage in a workpiece, the spring cover will be arranged as shown in Fig. 6 so that when the workpiece is applied, it will move the gauging nger or element I4 towards the right from the limiting position in which the spring il holds it. For gauging an internal diameter, the construction of the gauging elements is preferably as illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the gauging element I having a recess or vertical passage TI large enough to receive the gauging linger of element I4, and the two gauging elements are provided with hardened contact points 'I3 and i9 on their opposite sides. For gauging an exterior dimension of a workpiece, the gauging elements i4 and I5 may be removed from the holders to which they are screwed, and replaced by gauging elements having work contacting gauging points S9, see Fig. 5. Ii the gauging elements are intended to gauge dimensions which are considerably in excess of the horizontal dimension of the gauging element I5, the gauging elements may each be provided with gauging contacts on both sides of the same as shown in Fig. 6.

The holder 63 of the movable gauging element and the carrier I9 are so arranged that one of them carries a stop surface and the other carries a housing containing a gauging mechanism which operates the indicator I, this housing also embodying a spring pressed movable plunger, the end of which is held yieldingly against the stop surface mentioned so that as a relative movement takes place between the gauging element I4 and the carrier i9, from a predetermined position, in either direction, the new position of the gauging element I4 with respect to the carrier is shown by the indicator I 9. The indicator is so adjusted that it gives a normal or zero indication when the gauging element I4 is engaged by a workpiece of the desired or standard size.

In the form of the invention illustrated, the stop surface which engages the movable plunger of the housing mentioned is shown at 85 in Fig. 2, positioned on the carrier I9. It is engaged by the plunger 85 which is operably mounted in the housing 87 containing the gauging mechanism, this housing being arranged below the central axis of the carrier but fixed to the holder 63 on which the movable gauging element i4 is fastened. In the housing B'I is a suitable electromagnetic arrangement which need not be explained here, since such arrangements are well kno-wn in themselves, so that as the position of the plunger 85 changes with respect to the housing, a change in the electric current passing through the cable 88 obtains. The cable extends to the indicator so that the position of the indicator pointer responds to the relative position oi the plunger with respect to the housing 81.

The gauge is also provided with means to indicate whether or not the carrier I9 is in a proper position for gauging or, on the contrary, Whether it is pressed too far towards the right or to the left by the workpiece. The indicator IS is adapted to function properly in a range of movement of the carrier, but if the carrier is held or pressed to a limiting position either to the right or to the left so that a strain might be imposed on some of the parts, an error in reading might result. I-Iowever, in accordance with the present invention the operator will be aware of this. Indicating lights 89 and 94 are provided below the indicator I5 and are electrically connected to a suitable 6 power source 99 and to switches '99 and SI, as shown in Fig. '7. The two switches are similar in construction, the switch 99, for example, having a rigid blade 99 normally contacting with a flexible blade which tends to press against the contact on the blade 96. The several blades of these switches are supported at one end in a holder 92 which is mounted on the suspension block 39, the latter being movable up and down with the carriage 39. These blades project from their sup- -Dort towards the carrier I9, and the ends of the blades are arranged adjacent stop screws I9!! and IIiI adjustably mounted on the carrier so as to engage the longer flexible blades of the two switches as will be apparent from Fig. '7. One or the other of these stop screws opens the circuit to one or the other of the lamps 89 and 94 by spreading the corresponding spring blade out of contact with its rigid blade, if the carrier, and thus one of the stop screws, is in an extreme limiting position. If the carrier is floating between its limiting end positions and within a small range oi movement in which accurate indications will be obtained, neither of the stop screws IUD or IBI will open the switches, and current will flow through both lamps to show the operator that the reading on the indicator can be relied on.

The extent to which the carrier 63 can move yieldingly on the carrier I9 is limited to some small adequate amount by means of a stop plate 9i xed on the carrier and projecting into a recess 82 in the side of the holder 63, see Fig. 5. The length of this recess is a little longer than the length of the stop plate 8l to permit freedom of movement ina limited range. The springs 'I9 and 'II yieldingly urge the holder 63 into engagement with one or the other end of the stop plate 8l when the movable gauging element I4 is not held by a workpiece.

In setting the parts at the start of any gauging operation, a part of known or required size is applied to the gauging elements, the spring cover having been previously moved to the right or left according to the character of the dimension to be gauged, that is, whether or not the workpiece will engage the opposite sides or the adjacent sides of the gauging fingers. The locking lever 54 is removed to release the lock and the hand wheel t9 is turned until the gauging element I5 comes to a position that gives a zero or normal indication on the indicator. The locking lever 54 is then moved to hold the element in its adjusted position on the carrier.

The standard is then removed and the workpiece or a succession of workpieces are applied to the gauging elements. In applying the workpieces, especially if they are heavy, the operator notes whether or not both the lamps 89 and 94 are energized before he notes the reading on the indicator I6, to make sure that the carrier is not held by the work in a limiting position.

While the indicator lights 89 and 94 provide means by which the operator can readily see if the carrier is within its normal range and not in contact with the stop plate 8l, the positioning of the work on the work table can be facilitated by a work locating device carried by the table. Fig. 8 shows one form of a work locating device that may be used for this purpose. It comprises a base member I93 having a tongue H34 slidably fitting in the slot or space between the two halves of the table. An end projection |05 overlies the outer edge of the table and a set screw |05 threaded in the projection can be operated to fix the base member in a desired position. The base 'member carries a post II which supports a laterally extending arm H53. This arm is laterally adjustable and also vertically adjustable with respect to the post Ibi' Vand can be secured in adjusted positions by means of set screws IGS and II. O-n the end of this arm is a bar III, removably secured by means of a screw II2. The lower end of this bar carries a stud I I3 having a work contacting point engageable with the side of the work to be gauged. As herein shown, the work to be gauged is in the form of a ring IIA. The work contacting point on the stud I I3 is verticalli7 in line with and arranged above one of the work gauging lingers. The parts are so set that when the end of the stud H3 contacts the workpiece and the latter is engaged by the two gauging iingers, the gauging finger fixed on the carrier will be held by the work to arrange the carrier between its limiting positions and out of contact with the xed stop. The operator can ascertain that such is the case by noting whether or not the lamps 89 and 9d are energized. With the stud IIB arranged above the work engaging ringer I4, the latter can be vertically adjusted with respect to the work supporting table until it closely approaches the stud IIS. To, provide a complete range of movement of the work engaging finger id from the bottom to the top of the workpiece, a bar i i6 shown in Fig. 9 may be used in place of the bar I I I. The bar l I6 is provided with two studs lI'l and Ht with suicient space between them to permit the upper end of Vthe gauging ringer it to be received. The work 'contacting points on the ends of these two studs I Ii and H8 engage the workpieces symmetrically on opposite sides of the work gauging point on the nger l. and are of assistance in centering the workpiece so that the two work engaging :lingers Id and I wili measure the true diameter.`

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention which is dened in the appended claims.

a second gauging element, means movably supw porting said second gauging element on said carrier for yielding movement towards and from the first gauging element, a pair of opposed springs into effect and simultaneously render one of. said springs ineiective to select the direction of spring pressure whereby the gauge is adapted for checka point exterior of said support and terminating Y in an operating handie, a second gauging element, means yieldingly supporting said second element on said carrier for movement towards and from the first element, and indicating means `responsive to changes in the relative positions of said elements.

4. A gauge comprising a support having a stationary work supporting table, elevating means carried by said support, a carrier arranged below said table and movable towards and from said table by said elevating means, means for operating said elevating means, a gauging element on said carrier, a second gauging element yieldingly supported by said carrier for movement towards and fro-m the rst named gauging element, said gauging elements projecting upwardly from'the carrierrthrough the work supporting table.

` 5. A gauge comprising a support having a stationary work supporting table, a pair of elevating screws carried by said support, means for simultaneously y operating said screws, lifting means operated by said screws, a carrier yieldingly supported by said lifting means for horizontal movement below said table, a gauging element on said carrier, a second gauging element, means supporting said second-gauging element for yielding movement on said carrier towards and from said rst gauging element, indicating means responsive to Yrelative movement of said gauging elements, said gauging elements projecting upwardly through an opening in the table to points above the table to an extent determined by the 'l position of the carrier.

6. A gauge comprising a support havingra i'lXed horizontal work supporting table, elevating means carried by said support, a carrier arranged below said table and movable towards and from said table by'said elevating means, means for operat- Y ing said elevating means, a gauging element on for yieldingly urging said second element in a predetermined direction towards or from the first gauging element, and means readily operable to bring one orrthe other of said springs into effect to reverse the direction of spring pressure whereby the gauge is adaptedior checking either internal or external dimensions.

2. A gauge comprising a carrier, a support'for said carrier, a gauging element on said carrier, a second gauging element, means movaby supporting said second gauging element on saidcarrier for yielding movement towards and from the irst gauging element, indicating means having parts attachedrespectively to` said carrier and to said second gauging element and responsive to the changes in the relative positions of said Ygauging elements, a pair of opposed springs for yieldingly urging said second gauging element in 'operable to bring one or the other of said, springs said carrier, a second gauging element yieldingly supported by said carrier for movement towards and from the rst named gauging element, said gauging elements projecting upwardly from the carrier through the work supporting table, spring means for urging said second gauging element v towards or from the first gauging element, andY means readily operable to modify said spring means so that said second gauging element is yieldingly urged in an opposite direction.

7. A gauge comprising a support having a-stationary horizontal work supporting table', a pair of elevating screws carried by said support,

meansrfor simultaneously operating saidsorews,

Vment below said table, a gauging element on said carrier, a second gauging' element, means supporting said second gauging element for yielding movement on said carrier towards and from said ments, said gauging elements projecting upwardly through an opening in the table to points above the table to an extent determined by the position of the carrier.

8. A gauge comprising a support having a stationary work supporting table, .a pair of elevating screws carried by said support, means for simultaneously operating said screws, lifting means operated by said. screws, a carrier yieldingly suppor-ted by said lifting means for horizontal movement below said table, a gauging element on said carrier, a second gauging element, means supporting said second gauging element for yielding movementl on said carrier towards and from said rst gauging element, indicating lmeans responsive to relative movement of said gauging elements, said gauging elements projecting upwardly through lan opening in the table to points above the table to an extent determined by the position of the carrier, la pair of opposed springs yieldingly urging said second element in a predetermined direction towards or from said rst element, and means readily operable to bring one or the other of said springs into effect to reverse the direction of spring pressure, whereby the gauge is adapted for checking either internal or external dimensions.

9. A gauge comprising a support having a work supporting table, elevating means carried by said support, a carrier carried by said elevating means and movable towards ,and from said work supporting table, a gauging element on said carrier, threaded means for adjusting the position of said element on said carrier and extending to a point exterior of said support and terminating in an operating handle, locking means extending to a point exterior of said support and terminating in a locking handle operable to fix said threaded means to said element, a second gauging element, means yieldingly supporting said second element on said carrier for movement 'towards andfrom the rst element, and indi-eating means responsive to changes in the relative positions of said elements.

10. A gauge comprising a support having a stationary work supporting table, a carrier arranged below said table, a pair of spaced carriages guided for vertical movement in said support, a plurality of exible spring blades suspending said carrier on said carriages for yielding movement parallel to said table, a plurality of elevating screws mounted in said support for raising and lowering said carriages, common means for operating said screws, a gauging element adjustably mounted on said carrier, means for adjusting said gauging element along said carrier, locking means for holding said element in adjusted position, a second gauging element, means yieldingly supporting said second element on said scarn'er for yielding movement towards and from said rst element, indicating means responsive to changes in the relative position of said second element with respect to said carrier, spring means yieldingly urging said second element towards said rst element, and means readily operable .to reverse the direction of spring pressure to cause said second element to be yieldingly urged .away from said rst element.

11. A gauge comprising a support having a stationary work supporting table, a carrier arranged below said table, a pair of spaced carriages guided for vertical movement in said support, a plurality of flexible spring blades suspending said carrier on said carriages for yielding movement parallel to said table, a plurality of elevating screws mounted in said support for raising and lowering said carriages, common means for operating said screws, a gauging element adjustably mounted on said carrier, means extending below said table to a point exterior of said support for adjusting said gauging element along said carrier, locking means for holding said element in adjusted position, said locking means being accessible from the exterior of said support, a second gauging element, means yieldingly supporting said second element on said carrier for yielding movement towards and from said first element, indicating means responsive to changes in the relative position of said second element with respect to said carrier, spring means yieldingly urging said second element towards said first element, and means readily operable to reverse the direction nof spring pressure to cause said second element to be yieldingly urged .away from said rst element.

12. A gauge comprising a' carrier, a support `providing a work holding table, means yieldingly mounting said carrier on said support for m-ovement in a direction parallel to the table, ,a gauging element on said carrier, .a second gauging element, means movably supporting said second gauging element on said carrier for yielding movement in the said direction and towards and from the rst gauging element, indicating means operably interconnected to said carrier and to said second gauging element and responsive to the changes in the relative positions of said gauging elements, and means for indicating when the carrier is in Va predetermined range of positioning relative to said support.

13. A gauge comprising .a carrier, a support providing a work holding table, means yieldingly mounting said carrier on said support for movement in a direction panallel to the table, a gauging element on said carrier, a second gauging element, means movably supporting said second gauging element on said carrier for yielding movement in the said direction .and towards and from the rst gauging element, indicating means operably interconnected to said carrier and to said second gauging element and responsive to the changes in the relative positions of said gauging elements, .and a work locator adjustably xed on said table and engageable with the work to position said carrier within a predetermined range of positioning with respect to said table.

14. A gauge comprising a carrier, a support providing' a work holding table, means yieldingly mounting said carrier on said support for movement in a direction parallel to the table, a gauging element on said carrier, a second gauging element, means movably supporting said second gauging element on said carrier for yielding 

